Health Law
In an era of substantial national and regional reforms in health care and public health, students and practitioners must be able to recognize, assess, and solve issues of law, ethics, and policy at the intersection of health care delivery and the protection of community health. The nationally-ranked health law programs, projects, and initiatives at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University encompass an array of unique and emerging areas, including public health law and policy, personalized medicine, and neuroscience.
Students may select from a diverse range of health law-related courses and opportunities tailored to their specific interests and led by acclaimed faculty, adjuncts, and partners. Students’ experiences are accentuated through related concentrations, certifications, and joint degrees offered by centers at ASU Law, Mayo Medicine School, and other institutions. Knowledge and application of principles of law, ethics, and policy offer graduates career opportunities in high-demand legal and policy fields focused on health care, public health, and technology.
The Center for Public Health Law and Policy
The Center for Public Health Law and Policy explores fascinating and emerging global and domestic issues in public health law, policy, and ethics. Varied topical interest areas include emergency legal preparedness, vaccinations, health care reform, injury prevention, and constitutional rights and protections. The center brings students together with leading scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to address critical challenges at the intersection of law, ethics, policy, and the public’s health. Click below to visit the Center for Public Health Law and Policy.
Degree programs
Juris Doctor, JD
As the market for health law and public health law across Arizona and the nation escalates so does the need for knowledgeable and well- versed lawyers that understand unique aspects of health care and public health services.
ASU Law’s nationally-ranked program in health law, public health law, and policy focuses on diverse issues at the core of how health care and public health services are organized, delivered, and assured in global, national, and regional settings.
JD Graduate Certificates in:
- Health Law and Policy Certificate
- Law, Science and Technology Certificate – Genomics and Biotechnology
Master of Legal Studies, MLS
This degree is for professionals who do not want to practice law, but seek to understand the law’s impact on the health care system, as well as implications on the clients and patients they serve. Health is the largest and fastest growing industry in the U.S., adding more than 650,000 jobs in 2023. The health industry is undergoing unprecedented reform, thereby creating demand for people who can understand and translate new rules and regulations to improve the health of people and populations.
- Emphasis in health law or public health law and policy
Master of Laws, LLM
This degree is for people who already have a law degree and aspire to translate and apply health policies to protect and improve public health. Health is the largest and fastest growing industry in the U.S., adding more than half of all new jobs through 2020. The health industry is undergoing unprecedented reform, thereby creating demand for people who can understand and translate new rules and regulations to improve the health of people and populations.
- Emphasis in health law or public health law and policy
- LLM in Genomics and Biotechnology
JD/MD Dual Degree Program with Mayo Medicine
Career opportunities
ASU Law JD, LLM, and MLS students concentrating in health law and policy are finding career placements across the United States in a diverse array of related positions. Opportunities include law firms, health care entities, health insurers, government agencies at all levels, policy think tanks, and academic institutions, among others. For more information, consult our Office of Career Services and check out the listing of prominent health law alums and their current positions on the Center’s website.
Student opportunities
Health law is a multifaceted area with a unique array of applications, contexts, and career paths. ASU Law's programs are collaborative and inclusive of several projects, faculty, and substantive areas beyond the classroom.
Student opportunities include:
- Coursework in Health Law and Policy, Public Health Law and Ethics, Medical Malpractice, Health Technologies, Health Care Fraud, FDA Regulation, Biotechnology, Bioethics, Genetics, Neuroscience, Law and Psychology, Reproductive Technologies, Research Ethics, Privacy, Scientific Evidence, and more. New courses are created frequently to address areas of student interest and employer demand.
- Opportunities to work with the Center for Public Health Law and Policy on research, scholarship, and legal assistance requests through the Network for Public Health Law – Western Region Office.
- Research cluster groups in Personalized Medicine and Neuroscience, research assistant positions, and independent study projects working with faculty on legal and scientific research and publications.
- Clinical experience assisting clients in early-stage health care companies with legal challenges through the Healthcare Entrepreneurship Clinic.
- A diverse array of externships in health law firms, hospitals, government agencies, nonprofit advocates, and other settings in Phoenix and locations across the country.
- The Health Law Society (HLS), an active student organization facilitating speakers, events, and networking opportunities.
- Law review and moot court placements providing extensive research, scholarly, and applied skills in health law and policy areas of interest.
Sample coursework
- Administrative Law
- Bioethics and Law
- Biotechnology
- Biotech Licensing and Litigation
- Elder Law
- Family Law
- FDA Regulation
- Gender and Family Policy
- Genetics and the Law
- Healthcare Fraud Investigation
- Health Law and Policy
- Health Technologies, Innovation and the Law
- Healthcare Entrepreneurship Clinic
- Intercultural Bioethics
- Mass Tort Litigation
- Medical Malpractice
- Neuroscience and the Law
- Public Health Law (and Ethics)
- Reproduction, Reproductive Technologies and the Law
- Research Ethics and Law
In conjunction with Center for Law, Science and Innovation, several programs host events, workshops, and conferences each year focused on emerging issues in health law. Student opportunities for participation, research, work experience, and networking in different facets of health law and policy abound. Health Care Law at ASU Law is ranked No. 13 by U.S. News and World Report, 2025. The Health Law Society (HLS) student organization is a growing and proactive group that facilitates collaboration and connection. Graduates from ASU Law are true standouts in the health law community locally and nationally.
Apply now
Find out more about admission requirements and start your application for admission today.
Contact us
Contact ASU Law MLS Admissions at MLSASU@asu.edu, or call 480-965-1474 with any questions.
Visit us
Learn more about ASU's admission processes, and explore our campus through a live-hosted virtual visit experiences, walking tours, and on-demand virtual tours.